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Unit 8, Caribbean Cultural Expressions
Unit 6, Caribbean identity
Image on first page
https://www.google.tt/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjmwZWApuXXAhWIKiYKHYT9CWoQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fproudcaribbean%2Fstatus%2F408312834272288771&psig=AOvVaw27BVy3AloerbpsH60NouS0&ust=1512096855378063

Image of West Indies team now

https://www.google.tt/search?biw=1080&bih=468&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=VZofWuvGC8OkmwHpopTwDg&q=west+indies+cricket+team+2017&oq=west+indies+cricket+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.2.0l9j0i67k1.7677.9949.0.13462.7.7.0.0.0.0.272.1378.2-6.6.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.6.1378....0.qb-qPVkn9lU#imgrc=mpTIy03zX1VB-M

and then.

https://www.google.tt/search?q=history+of+cricket+in+the+caribbean&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwippdqxyuXXAhXFOiYKHfo1CQcQ_AUICigB&biw=1080&bih=507&dpr=1.25#imgdii=tVMAR3hll3VbBM:&imgrc=6dfEimKc_G6yrM

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Coming into the course, I did not know what to expect however it has opened my eyes to things which i did not spare a though for before. It has given me a greater appreciation for Caribbean history, culture and expression.
The live sessions were something I had not been previously exposed to and i thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they could have been viewed at a later date if i did not fully understand or needed to hear the information again. Through it all by Giselle Mills was also one of the few encounters that I have had with Caribbean literature and as before, it was truly enjoyable.

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The following images are Caribbean Soca Artists 

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The following images are Caribbean Soca Artists 

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Super Blue

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Destra Garcia

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Bunji Garlin

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Music is and has been a tool which has influenced human behaviour and emotion for many years and has had the same effect in the Caribbean with the music that we have produced. We have managed to be the innovators of calypso, reggae and soca to name a few, all of which, evoke different feelings. Since the 20th century calypso has been mainly a style of Afro Caribbean Music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago. It is often used as social commentary, many times taking a political spin. The subject of Calypso is usually humorous, clever and satiric. Calypso continues to be a local and tropical event of Political and Social importance. “Cupboards always bare and scanty, ten people in a one bedroom shanty force to sell on the pavement no vacancies, no employment” are lyrics from the calypso song ‘Voices from the Ghetto’ by singing Sandra. While examining this song it brings to light the issues and situations from then to now, as what the arena of calypso music is all about. It brings to light social issues that many may not want to discuss.

Soca Music is the prime or main music of the festival carnival. It is usually celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago before the start of the catholic lent season. According to Lord Shorty, it’s inventor, as the “Soul of Calypso” defined Soca music as a genre of Caribbean music that originated within a marginalized subculture in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970’s. The carnival festival originated from the African tradition and festival which consist of masqueraders parading through the streets in costumes and masks. Soca music has always been a ‘feel good’ vibe influencing listeners to jump, wave, put their hands in the air and have a good time. It often features improvised lyrics that entertains and usually has a rhythmic beat of drums and bass. The period for Soca music usually ends when carnival celebrations comes to an end and commences when the season returns the following year. Some Soca artist in Trinidad and Tobago are Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Super Blue.

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Festivals in the Caribbean often represent the various cultures which were adapted by Caribbean people. While looking into the festival of Trinidad and Tobago carnival it was evident that there were influence of the Indian, Europeans, Africans in the way in which the costumes the masqueraders wore during the festival were made, the designs and the materials used, there are also a depictions of the early settlers  the Neo-Indians. This festival is seen as an energetic, exciting and enjoyable way to tell stories which may be true or just make-believe; it is one of the Caribbean’s largest attractions when it comes to tourist as well as person’s right here in the Caribbean. Although proclaimed to be “the greatest show on earth”, we see that this festival celebrated in Trinidad is not one of its kind, it is celebrated in various parts of the world namely Miami, Jamaica, Canada, Barbados and we see it’s not only in Caribbean islands, European countries as well. Though in recent times Carnival is seen as over sexualized, the costumes are becoming more and skimpier, leaving little to the imagination, well at least that of women’s costumes, the men usually wear basic knee length trousers and some adornment of minor jewelry and headpieces. However, Carnival is not the only festival celebrated in the Caribbean there is a mixture of them such as Divali which is known as the “festival of lights” celebrated mainly by people of the Hindu religion, but is also celebrated by persons of other cultural and religious backgrounds. Also there is Eid ul-Fitr  also known as simply Eid which is a festival celebrated my Muslims though similarly to Divali persons of ther cultural or religious backgrounds part take in the celebrations with them as well.

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Cricket is one such memento from the days of colonialism; it was used as a tool to bring the West Indians together. This started with the arrival of the British colonialist to the Caribbean in 18th century, when the game cricket was introduced to the Caribbean. In this time cricket was described as elegant, poetic and strategic game. Cricket was once a sport only for the elite; this is why the British game was first played in Jamaica by the upper class. The rule of cricket up to recent times is still strictly enforced both precisely and publicly. After the game was picked up by the Caribbean people, it was perfected. This was because they made a cultural investment in the game of cricket, it occurred after the abolition of slavery in 1838. It has to with how the West Indian society evolved after 1838. The Caribbean island put together a team of men to compete internationally, named West Indies. There first test match was played in England 1928 and was captained by a white player for over two decades. Choosing the captain was mainly about race not about how well the person can play. In 1948 however, this all changed when they appointed their first black captain George Headly. Despite what has been taking place beyond boundaries, within the boundary they had a level playing field full of aspiration, social justice and mutual respect, which is what we needed in the Caribbean society both back then and now. Evidence of this was seen in lyrics of the song by David Rudder “Rally Round the West Indies”  “Now they making restrictions and laws to spoil our beauty, but in the end, we shall prevail, this is not from cricket this thing goes beyond the boundary, Soon we must take a side or be lost in the rubble In a divided world that don't need island no more are we doomed forever to be at somebody's mercy Little keys can open up mighty doors.”  These lines resonate that cricket match was more than just that of a match. This game encapsulated issues of Caribbean politics, race, class and high and low culture.

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Application of learning in the course to understanding a problem of regional importance as reflected in news and current affairs literature/programs in the region/ Application of learning in Caribbean Civilisation, to students’ understanding of their social or geographical environment.  

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Application of learning in the course to understanding a problem of regional importance as reflected in news and current affairs literature/programs in the region/ Application of learning in Caribbean Civilisation, to students’ understanding of their social or geographical environment.  

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Culture can be defined as the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time. In the Caribbean we have been blessed to be exposed to a multitude of different cultures. This has enabled us to develop an innate ability to sometimes "accept" different people in a way that people from monoculture societies would not.

An issue which is experienced in today’s society is one of racial division, which usually rears its ugly head mainly when political issues come to the fore. While doing this course it was enlightening to learn about the “Indian Indentured Labourers” and the “African slaves” that came to the Caribbean, it is apparent that this issue between these two racial groups stemmed from earlier times. When the “Indian Indentured Labourers” came to the Caribbean they were paid wages and the male and females were in separate cabins, pregnant women worked half of the day, and when their contracts ended they were given money and land. On the other hand the African slaves as their names states ‘slaves’ they were not paid any wages and came to the Caribbean packed like sardine, both male and females, pregnant women were to work the same time as the men. Being from the Caribbean mainly from the beautiful twin island of Trinidad and Tobago I have been exposed to a lot of racial division, though what is put out there in the public, is not the general feelings, emotions, thoughts, views or actions of everyone in the Caribbean society, it still happens. Because of this course I was able to link as to why the “Indian group” felt superior to the Africans. This was due to the privileges and opportunities awarded to the Indian in the 1840’s and not similarly to the Africans. There was a distinctive difference in terms of title, status and treatment between the two groups which I still see lingering today.

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The following articles are evidence of the racial division.

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The following articles are evidence of the racial division.

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This article was take off the internet on the 30th November, 2017.

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This article was taken off the internet on 30th November, 2017.

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This article was taken off the internet on the 30th November,2017

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Pictures of West Indies Cricket Team Then 

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Pictures of West Indies Cricket Team Then 

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The West Indian squad that toured England in 1923, before Test status was conferred on the region copy write by Robert Nunes this photo was taken off the internet on 2nd November, 2017

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Pictures of the West Indies Cricket Team Now 

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Pictures of the West Indies Cricket Team Now 

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The current West Indies team players, this picture was taken off the internet on 2nd November, 2017

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In this portfolio I explored three concepts of the Caribbean Cultural Expression, It looked at music festivals and sport (mainly cricket). Cultural expression in the Caribbean is diverse, stemming beyond the three concepts mentioned. As culture continuously changes and time, generations and society revolutionize, I realized that the original structure of the Caribbean society and its cultural practices is constantly reforming. This portfolio will discuss my understanding of Festival, Music and Sports mainly(Cricket) with the aid of knowledge gained in the Course Caribbean Civilisation. While looking into Caribbean music I saw how influential music, festival and sport are to persons in the Caribbean regardless of their race, class, gender and religion. A reflection piece will be done outlining what stood out for me in this course, and also what I learnt about myself as an individual in Caribbean civilisation. The referencing for this assignment is done in MLA 8th edition.